BENGARLAND!com

So I arrived at EARTH University yesterday. Today I mainly had to run errands, meet people, and take care of business. But I did meet a few students here. Luckily, the first person I sat with at dinner last night, Kathya, spoke perfect English since she’s from Belize. Unfortunately (for me), she’s graduated and leaves tomorrow.

Tonight I met Rosa, from El Salvador — I learned she was actually an exchange student at UGA this past Fall (in plant biology) and we know some of the same people. How coincidental is that? I am hoping that I see her again so we can practice English and Spanish together.

I think my roommate doesn’t really know what to think of me yet. We haven’t had much time to talk. But he did hang up a curtain over his part of the room this morning, which was a bit odd. Maybe he has a girlfriend here? Who knows.

This afternoon I finally made it out to the organic farm. It’s very small, only about 5 hectares (out of the 3,300 hectares of the campus) and is focused on solving problems for small community farmers. Heiner Castillo is the agricultural engineer with whom I will be working, and fortunately he speaks very good English. The farm has all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and forage plants as well as pigs, goats, chickens, and water buffalo. There are many projects that I will have an opportunity to work on, as well as an Organic Horticulture class that I will get to participate in.

I really can’t describe how awesome this place is. UGA pales in comparison.

Right now I have to go to bed, because quiet time starts at 10pm, and I have to get up at 5am, eat breakfast at 5:30, and catch the 6:00 bus out to the farm. Yay.

More soon, with photos.